Emotional products are gaining share. Candles are more popular than ever. Things that make us feel something - like really good films, art or music - will become appreciated (and valued) more and more.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Simple Truth - Energy Account
A new study debunks the widely held belief that diet plus exercise is the most effective way to lose weight. Researchers report that dieting alone is just as effective as dieting plus exercise.
"For weight loss to occur, an individual needs to maintain a difference between the number of calories they consume everyday and the number of calories they burn through metabolism and physical activity," Dr. Leanne Redman of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, explains in a press release.
"What we found was that it did not matter whether a reduction in calories was achieved through diet or burned everyday through exercise."
Thirty-five overweight but otherwise healthy adults -- 16 men and 19 women -- completed the 6-month study. Twelve were assigned to a diet-only group; they reduced their calorie intake by 25 percent. Twelve were assigned to diet plus exercise; they reduced their calorie intake by 12.5 percent and increased their exercise by 12.5 percent. The remaining 11 subjects made no significant diet or exercise changes.
Redman and colleagues found that the diet-only group and the diet plus exercise group lost roughly the same amount of weight, albeit by different means. They lost about 10 percent of their body weight, 24 percent of their fat mass and 27 percent of their abdominal "visceral" fat -- the deep internal fat linked to heart disease risk.
Therefore, if the goal is purely shedding pounds, diet or exercise will work, according to this study. However, as the researchers point out, regular exercise can improve aerobic fitness and lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
The study also found that exercise did little to tone specific areas of the body. Fat was reduced consistently across the whole body and not more in any one trouble spot.
"Our study then would indicate that weight loss cannot override the way in which any individual stores fat. Perhaps an apple will always be an apple, and a pear, a pear," Redman concludes.
This suggests that people are "genetically programmed for fat storage in a particular pattern and that this programming cannot be easily overcome by weight loss," the authors note in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2007.
"For weight loss to occur, an individual needs to maintain a difference between the number of calories they consume everyday and the number of calories they burn through metabolism and physical activity," Dr. Leanne Redman of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, explains in a press release.
"What we found was that it did not matter whether a reduction in calories was achieved through diet or burned everyday through exercise."
Thirty-five overweight but otherwise healthy adults -- 16 men and 19 women -- completed the 6-month study. Twelve were assigned to a diet-only group; they reduced their calorie intake by 25 percent. Twelve were assigned to diet plus exercise; they reduced their calorie intake by 12.5 percent and increased their exercise by 12.5 percent. The remaining 11 subjects made no significant diet or exercise changes.
Redman and colleagues found that the diet-only group and the diet plus exercise group lost roughly the same amount of weight, albeit by different means. They lost about 10 percent of their body weight, 24 percent of their fat mass and 27 percent of their abdominal "visceral" fat -- the deep internal fat linked to heart disease risk.
Therefore, if the goal is purely shedding pounds, diet or exercise will work, according to this study. However, as the researchers point out, regular exercise can improve aerobic fitness and lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
The study also found that exercise did little to tone specific areas of the body. Fat was reduced consistently across the whole body and not more in any one trouble spot.
"Our study then would indicate that weight loss cannot override the way in which any individual stores fat. Perhaps an apple will always be an apple, and a pear, a pear," Redman concludes.
This suggests that people are "genetically programmed for fat storage in a particular pattern and that this programming cannot be easily overcome by weight loss," the authors note in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2007.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Nine Ways of Strategy - Miyamoto Musashi 1643
The Nine Ways of Strategy - 1643 - Musashi
1. Do not think dishonestly
2. The way is in training
3. Become acquainted with the arts
4. Know the ways of all professions
5. Distinguish between true gain and loss
6. Develop intuitive judgement
7. Perceive things not seen
8. Pay attention - even to trifles
9. Do nothing which is of no use
1. Do not think dishonestly
2. The way is in training
3. Become acquainted with the arts
4. Know the ways of all professions
5. Distinguish between true gain and loss
6. Develop intuitive judgement
7. Perceive things not seen
8. Pay attention - even to trifles
9. Do nothing which is of no use
Tennessee Williams - Frantically constructing
“It is almost as if you were frantically constructing another world while the world that you live in dissolves beneath your feet, and that your survival depends on completing this construction at least one second before the old habitation collapses.”
-Tennessee Williams
-Tennessee Williams
Bums on Bikes
Bums on Bikes
The pedaling action is smooth
My legs are stronger than people think
I miss my fender
It was important after all
B. Crood
The pedaling action is smooth
My legs are stronger than people think
I miss my fender
It was important after all
B. Crood
Friday, February 16, 2007
Elizabeth Barrett Browning - How Do I Love Thee?
How Do I Love Thee?
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Monday, February 12, 2007
Coming - "The Sercet" with the magic part replaced by logic
There's a good chance you've seen or read about the much publicized documentary "the Secret". The laws of attraction etc. Oprah was quite excited and accordingly the associated credibility gives this material some significant momentum.
I believe that I understand the real secret behind this reported "energy", or at the very least a better / different way to explain it. Please don't be disappointed with me that I have not included it today. It deserves to be thoughtfully detailed - and it will be.
I will tell you that the subject is real. I won't be outing a scam. I'll be taking the magic out of the idea and telling it straight.
Stay tuned.
I believe that I understand the real secret behind this reported "energy", or at the very least a better / different way to explain it. Please don't be disappointed with me that I have not included it today. It deserves to be thoughtfully detailed - and it will be.
I will tell you that the subject is real. I won't be outing a scam. I'll be taking the magic out of the idea and telling it straight.
Stay tuned.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Service Expectations
If your customer's expectations are accurate, maybe this works.
Big sign:
In order to keep prices low, we do what we do and that's it. The price is the price, the terms are the terms, it is what it is. Buy it or don't buy it - your choice. Isn't that a clean and simple process? We're very sorry if this inconveniences you, but this is all the apology we can afford.
There are alternatives.
Big sign:
In order to keep prices low, we do what we do and that's it. The price is the price, the terms are the terms, it is what it is. Buy it or don't buy it - your choice. Isn't that a clean and simple process? We're very sorry if this inconveniences you, but this is all the apology we can afford.
There are alternatives.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The Pouncer
Aah the frustration of it all.
There is very little margin left in most opportunities. Other than a pure "job", it seems there are enough interests trying to squeeze profitable ideas so tightly that nothing remains.
Everything (well, almost everything - that's the point) is priced for perfection. Where does the "gem of a plan" live? Why so much risk?
Can we do little more with our cash than buy a job?
The aggressive play - taking advantage of people; moving quickly and decisively when the advantage is defined, seems to be the only remaining slice of opportunity.
So be it.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
New Munt
When we start something new, like a diet or some other behavior that is commitment-based; beginning on the first day of new month can help. It gives us a point in time to mark our decision. As we approach the date, it gains significance. A measurement of the duration of our commitment, the special date is easy to remember and helps us to feel successful. It reminds us how invested we are.
In other matters (business) the beginning of a new month is a good time to make a new policy or procedure "official".
In other matters (business) the beginning of a new month is a good time to make a new policy or procedure "official".
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Counting
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
Einstein
Einstein
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Just One Glass of Wine
Maybe it's because I was never a drinker. I've never really had much desire. I would catch a buzz a couple of times a year, if the situation crept up on me. If I did drink, I would usually have a terrific time for the first half hour or so, but soon after I'd start to feel kind of lousy. I guess I would drink too fast or maybe I have low tolerance (as they say). Hey it's just the way it seemed to happen. I'd find myself saying I wish I hadn't. As a result, I've stayed almost totally away.
Recently I've discovered what a single glass of wine does to me. Just one glass, not two. A glass just before, during or after dinner is pretty darn good. I nurse it, let myself taste it and make it last a while. I definitely feel something, but I like the depth of the effect. I can still think and function, but I'm "chilled out", the edge is off.
Maybe I'll work my way up to a needing a couple of glasses to achieve the same results. Perhaps that's the beginning of a bad idea. Hmmm... I think I would like to see how long I can savor a single glass. Yup - just one glass of wine.
Some people will say, "What are you some kind of wussy?"
I don't know what I am - - - cheers!
Recently I've discovered what a single glass of wine does to me. Just one glass, not two. A glass just before, during or after dinner is pretty darn good. I nurse it, let myself taste it and make it last a while. I definitely feel something, but I like the depth of the effect. I can still think and function, but I'm "chilled out", the edge is off.
Maybe I'll work my way up to a needing a couple of glasses to achieve the same results. Perhaps that's the beginning of a bad idea. Hmmm... I think I would like to see how long I can savor a single glass. Yup - just one glass of wine.
Some people will say, "What are you some kind of wussy?"
I don't know what I am - - - cheers!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Steve Jobs - June 12, 2005 Commencement Speech
This is interesting. Not shocking, just interesting. It's a commencement speech given by Steve Jobs - June 12, 2005
...and arguably worth ten bucks.
You decide.
Steve Jobs - June 12, 2005
...and arguably worth ten bucks.
You decide.
Steve Jobs - June 12, 2005
Fakes
I saw this and thought it might be worth ten bucks...
As many often would, a dealer came by one day to show Picasso a painting that was supposed to be an original Picasso. He wanted to see if it was genuine or a fake.
Picasso glanced at it and without hesitating said, "fake." Later that day, two more were identified as fakes.
The second day, a different dealer came by. Picasso hardly looked up. "Fake!" he bellowed.
After the dealer left, a visiting friend asked, "Picasso, why did you say that painting was a fake? I was here, in this studio, last year when I saw you paint it."
Picasso didn't hesitate. He turned to his friend and said, "I often paint fakes."
As many often would, a dealer came by one day to show Picasso a painting that was supposed to be an original Picasso. He wanted to see if it was genuine or a fake.
Picasso glanced at it and without hesitating said, "fake." Later that day, two more were identified as fakes.
The second day, a different dealer came by. Picasso hardly looked up. "Fake!" he bellowed.
After the dealer left, a visiting friend asked, "Picasso, why did you say that painting was a fake? I was here, in this studio, last year when I saw you paint it."
Picasso didn't hesitate. He turned to his friend and said, "I often paint fakes."
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Grasshopper... Hey you there - Mr. Tight Pants
Exclude your residence (home with no mortgage), the amount of money you need to fund your children's college education, and one year's survival cash. Work to get past this point. For many, this will seem like an impossible task. You have to pay attention to the ways you accumulate and spend money. I'm certainly not saying it's easy. These milestones are worthy goals themselves. However, it is after you get to this point that you have a chance to "go big".
What's left is what I'll define as "Working Assets". If you are fortunate enough to get here and have something to work with, we can make something happen.
With your "Working Assets":
What's left is what I'll define as "Working Assets". If you are fortunate enough to get here and have something to work with, we can make something happen.
With your "Working Assets":
- Take almost no risk with 1/3 - Low
- Take moderate risk with 1/3 - Medium
- Be willing to take high risk with 1/3 - High
- Become intimately and enthusiastically involved in the care and feeding of the 1/3 that is considered high risk investment.
- When / if using leverage (debt) to fuel positions within the high risk category, limit your exposure such that no more than half of your Medium Risk position and none of your Low Risk position is in play.
Friday, January 26, 2007
How about some "Rawhide" to gnaw? Are you living high and wide?
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rawhide!
Keep rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Though the streams are swollen.
Keep them doggies rollin'.
Rawhide!
Through rain and wind and weather.
Hell bent for leather.
Wishin' my gal was by my side.
All the things I'm missin',
good fiddles, love and kissin',
are waiting at the end of the line!
Move 'em on, head 'em up.
Head 'em up, move 'em on.
Move 'em on, head 'em up.
Rawhide!
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in.
Ride 'em in, cut 'em out.
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in.
Rawhide!
Keep movin', movin', movin'.
though they're disapprovin'.
Keep them doggies movin',
Rawhide!
Don't try to understand 'em.
Just rope 'n throw 'n and brand 'em.
Soon we'll be livin' high and wide.
My heart's palpalatin',
my true love will be waitin',
be waitin' at the end of my ride!
Move 'em on, head 'em up.
Head 'em up, move 'em on.
Move 'em on, head 'em up.
Rawhide!
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in.
Ride 'em in, cut 'em out.
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in.
Rawhide!
Move 'em on, head 'em up.
Head 'em up, move 'em on.
Move 'em on, head 'em up.
Rawhide!
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in.
Ride 'em in, cut 'em out.
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in.
Rawhide!
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rollin', rollin', rollin'.
Rawhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!
Rawhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!
No Say... A calorie is a calorie? Wait... What?
It turns out that a calorie is a calorie. It doesn't matter if it comes from a mango or a cookie. Yes, there are other nutritional issues to consider, but as far as calories go - they all do the same thing. This is not necessarily big news, but it is quite important to understand.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Miyamoto Musashi - 1643 "The Nine Ways of Strategy"
One must be - then two - then three.
The Nine Ways of Strategy - 1643 - Musashi
1. Do not think dishonestly
2. The way is in training
3. Become acquainted with the arts
4. Know the ways of all professions
5. Distinguish between true gain and loss
6. Develop intuitive judgement
7. Perceive things not seen
8. Pay attention - even to trifles
9. Do nothing which is of no use
There you have it...
The Nine Ways of Strategy - 1643 - Musashi
1. Do not think dishonestly
2. The way is in training
3. Become acquainted with the arts
4. Know the ways of all professions
5. Distinguish between true gain and loss
6. Develop intuitive judgement
7. Perceive things not seen
8. Pay attention - even to trifles
9. Do nothing which is of no use
There you have it...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)